Sharice DavidsDavids has become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She is also the first out lesbian to serve in Congress from Kansas, and previously was an MMA fighter. Davids will represent Kansas’ 3rd Congressional district as a Democrat, in a race she won against Republican and four-term incumbent Kevin Yoder.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp30Y1tnaMQ/[/embed]
“We have the opportunity to reset expectations about what people think when they think of Kansas,” Davids said. Deb HaalandJoining Davids is Deb Haaland, who has also become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, this time representing New Mexico’s 1st district. A Democrat, Haaland is a member of Laguna of Pueblo and previously served as the Chair for the Democratic Party in New Mexico. She is a staunch advocate of progressive initiatives like $15 minimum wage and Medicare.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp46X2cH2oM/[/embed]
“I think we’ve been working towards this for a long time,” Haaland told Vox. “Just because you’re the first Native woman doesn’t mean you get any breaks… It’s not something that’s given freely.”Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan OmarRashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar became the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. Tlaib, a Democrat, was elected to serve in Michigan’s 13th district, while Omar, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was elected in Minnesota’s 5th district. Omar is also the first Somali-American to be elected to Congress, having arrived with her family as refugees over twenty years ago.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDZ_blBNEL/[/embed]
Jared PolisJared Polis became the first openly gay governor in U.S. history, winning in Colorado. A Democrat, Polis previously served in the House of Representatives and ran a progressive campaign against another Republican candidate. His key issues include Medicare-for-all, stronger gun laws, increased renewable energy, and universal full-day preschool. He will replace Democrat John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s governor.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5sGh6F5ZM/[/embed]
“I think it really gives Colorado an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as exclusive as where America is today,” he said in a speech.Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest person ever to be elected to Congress, at the age of 29. Not long ago, she was working as a bartender to support her family, and she will now represent New York’s 14th district (comprised of Queens and the Bronx) in Congress. Ocasio-Cortez gained national attention when she won an upset primary against 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in June.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZ4_mxlVX3/[/embed]
Having formerly worked on the Bernie Sanders campaign, she ran a progressive campaign, emphasizing issues like abolishing ICE, free public college, and gun control. Though elected in a majority-minority district, Ocasio-Cortez will be the 14th’s first representative of color. Cover image via Press From.

Here Are Some of the Candidates Who Made History in the Midterms

November 6th made history on multiple fronts. In the 116th Congress, 118 women will serve, an increase from 107, NPRreports. The night proved historic for women, people of color, and LGBT candidates, who will all see more representation in this Congress. Ayanna Pressley became the first black woman to be elected to the House from Massachusetts, and Maine elected its first female governor, Democrat Janet Mills. Here are a few of the other candidates who made history during the midterms.

Sharice Davids

Davids has become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She is also the first out lesbian to serve in Congress from Kansas, and previously was an MMA fighter. Davids will represent Kansas’ 3rd Congressional district as a Democrat, in a race she won against Republican and four-term incumbent Kevin Yoder.

“We have the opportunity to reset expectations about what people think when they think of Kansas,” Davids said.

Deb Haaland

Joining Davids is Deb Haaland, who has also become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, this time representing New Mexico’s 1st district. A Democrat, Haaland is a member of Laguna of Pueblo and previously served as the Chair for the Democratic Party in New Mexico. She is a staunch advocate of progressive initiatives like $15 minimum wage and Medicare.

“I think we’ve been working towards this for a long time,” Haaland told Vox. “Just because you’re the first Native woman doesn’t mean you get any breaks… It’s not something that’s given freely.”

Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar

Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar became the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. Tlaib, a Democrat, was elected to serve in Michigan’s 13th district, while Omar, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was elected in Minnesota’s 5th district. Omar is also the first Somali-American to be elected to Congress, having arrived with her family as refugees over twenty years ago.

Jared Polis became the first openly gay governor in U.S. history, winning in Colorado. A Democrat, Polis previously served in the House of Representatives and ran a progressive campaign against another Republican candidate. His key issues include Medicare-for-all, stronger gun laws, increased renewable energy, and universal full-day preschool. He will replace Democrat John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s governor.

“I think it really gives Colorado an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as exclusive as where America is today,” he said in a speech.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest person ever to be elected to Congress, at the age of 29. Not long ago, she was working as a bartender to support her family, and she will now represent New York’s 14th district (comprised of Queens and the Bronx) in Congress. Ocasio-Cortez gained national attention when she won an upset primary against 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in June.

Having formerly worked on the Bernie Sanders campaign, she ran a progressive campaign, emphasizing issues like abolishing ICE, free public college, and gun control. Though elected in a majority-minority district, Ocasio-Cortez will be the 14th’s first representative of color.